463
FXUS63 KLSX 082108
AFDLSX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Saint Louis MO
308 PM CST Thu Dec 8 2016
.SHORT TERM... (Through Late Friday Afternoon)
Issued at 308 PM CST Thu Dec 8 2016
Deep cyclonic flow persists across the region with low pressure in
southeastern Canada and expansive high pressure in the Plains the
controlling surface features. The resultant gusty west-northwest
surface winds will diminish this evening and especially overnight as
high pressure gradually shifts eastward from the Plains. The only
clouds we will need to keep an eye on is the stratocu skirting
locations along/east of the MS River, otherwise clear skies look to
be the rule. Tonight looks to be the coldest night thus far this
meteorological winter.
The surface high pressure system will be one of the dominate
features as it shifts across the region on Friday, while WAA aloft
and a weak migratory disturbance will contribute to increasing high
and mid level clouds. The main thrust of clouds from the west-
northwest will be in the afternoon, and in combination with the
surface high, will result in a chilly day with highs roughly 15
degrees below average.
Glass
.LONG TERM... (Friday Night through Next Thursday)
Issued at 308 PM CST Thu Dec 8 2016
(Friday night through Sunday)
Mdls remain in good agreement thru this period. At the sfc, ridge
builds ewd overnight allowing winds to become sely to sly by 12z
Sat. Given the very cold airmass in place with max temps on Fri not
expected to reach freezing, have still trended aob the coldest
guidance for Fri night. With sly flow at the sfc and good WAA thru
the low levels, expect temps to warm thru the weekend.
Looking aloft, the NW flow quickly becomes zonal as the trof over
the Great Lakes region pulls ewd. The low over the ern Pacific south
of AK will reach the wrn U.S. coast early this weekend and be the
next system to watch. Uncertainty increases rapidly on Sun as mdl
solns diverge with this approaching system. The NAM/local WRF are
more amplified solns with a stronger sfc ridge in place. Therefore,
these solns keep the sfc system further south with colder air in
place. Meanwhile, the GFS/ECMWF/GEM continue with a more zonal
pattern with the sfc wave developing sooner and further north.
Believe the NAM solns is influenced by the snow pack that is not
only currently too much, but also likely retains too long into the
forecast. This is a common bias within this mdl. Have tried to trend
twd a compromise, but more so twd the ECMWF/GFS solns. Best chances
for snow will remain across nrn portions of the CWA. Can not rule
out brief periods of sleet during transitions in p-type.
(Monday through Thursday)
Mdl solns diverge somewhat thru the extd period with the GEM
becoming an outlier. Have kept low PoPs on Tues with a weak s/w
system. However, with little run to run consistency, have low
confidence on this system.
Mdls also differ regarding how cold the airmass will be behind the
Tues system with the GFS a much more amplified system compared to
the ECMWF. For now, have trended twd a compromise, but will need to
closely watch how this system evolves over the coming days.
Tilly
&&
.AVIATION... (For the 18z TAFs through 18z Friday Afternoon)
Issued at 1129 AM CST Thu Dec 8 2016
Deep cyclonic flow persists across the region and at the surface
is dominated by a surface low in southeast Canada and expansive
high pressure system across the Plains. This flow regime will be
responsible for gusty west-northwest surface winds this afternoon
as well as stratocu. The most extensive stratocu resuling in MVFR
cigs is expected to remain from IA into central and northern IL
and removed from the terminals. VFR flight conditions are expected
through the forecast period.
SPECIFICS FOR KSTL:
VFR flight conditions expected through the period with some cold
air stratocu this afternoon. Gusty west-northwest winds will
continue this afternoon then diminish this evening.
Glass
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Saint Louis 16 30 19 36 / 0 0 0 0
Quincy 13 26 16 33 / 0 0 0 5
Columbia 10 29 16 37 / 0 0 0 0
Jefferson City 12 29 17 38 / 0 0 0 0
Salem 17 29 18 34 / 0 0 0 0
Farmington 14 30 17 36 / 0 0 0 0
&&
.LSX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MO...None.
IL...None.
&&
$$
WFO LSX